The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1887-01-22

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not represent a very appalling epidemic
and certainly do not justify panic.
At this time there is not case of diph-
liberia in the town, although 1t cannot be
denied that there are several possible
ceuters for It's future spread. Although
Dr. Morris admits the Influence of con-
tagion in the spread of tho disease, he at
least inferentially charges the condition
of the town as being largely responsible
for its genesis. and he particularly stig-
matises the central sewer and the marsh
| as potential Causes of future epIdemi ca.
| Now if there Is ground tor tins dlscoura e
ing opinion, the present epidemic should
furnish facts to illustrate 1t. IL does not
But one of the cases, and that mild one
occurred III the proximity of the sewer.
Tne Realey cases to which he refers oc-
CURED in the early winter of 1854 more
than two years ago, and are not mcluded.
Similarly but one Case occurred contig
uous to the marsh. This was the Han
series OF Cases which clearly demonstrates
the overwhelming Influence OF c0ntagion
in the propagation OF diphthera. Miss
Matte Pugn WAS taken severely Ill early
i'll December Her SISTER Mrs Blddle
wont almost daily to see her. On tho
% OF December Mrs. BIddIe's daus liter
Julia, 2 years Old Iook the disease and
died GA Christmas day OF Group. Ga the
20 n Mrs. BIddle was herself taken sick,
as we'll as the baby, the baby dy my Jan
uary l, aud the mother on the 81. The
Hancock child was staying at the Biudle
house but was on the 22d-immedlately
after the first child Was known To be
sick-sent LONE. Olthe 2jJu she was
taken with dlphtherla. Tnis history also
illustrates Il somewhat mooted point IN
the causation and spread OF this dread
disease. Mrs. Blddle did not take the
disease from her sister, she crrried it 10
the ehiLdren by her etothtng and was i'll her
turn with the baby iuocu lated by Julia.
The sewer to which d.. Morris refers
is 4 natural water way for tho surface
drainage of a considerable part Of the
center OF the town, OF North street above
the railroad aud OF the oed of the rail
1t is a sewer only incidentally. Ii has
y paved bottom throughout part
of its course which effecLually pre-
vents saturation of soil or 10y fifth, aud
1t only contains water after d rain suoI III,
when 1t becomes rapid, flowing stream,
by which it Is thoroughly cleansed.
luto this water way Is At the same time
directed all the surface filth of The con
:lguous properties, which Is then carried
to the river. 70 cover this ditch is To
shut up such NTH as may reach it, and
to prevent the dctioh Of tile sui4 and nir.
in It's dissipation. Firth Is Tar saler lere
than III a plIvy pit. Although | think it
would be All error To make d closed sewer
OF tnls open waterway, any obstruction
To It's course SHOULD be rig IDLY prevented
1t would be madness To deuy tLat
the marshes Influence The public
health Of the town. Autumual inter-
mittent fever IL quite common IN Elkron,
and more common of late than ten years
ago, foi even endemic fevers are under
certain occult Influences by which hey
are at tilnss stimulated TO extended
growth and spread. In 1876 began a
wave OF intensified malaria that over
spread the continent invaded the ecu
ters OF densely crowded citlos, ascended
heights 1000 teet above the sea, aud be
country where it was form7ilv unkI own.
Its decline began in 1853, and it has now
nearly subsidized. During this period Elk
ton with all other tide water towns sut-
tered severely, but it is altogether i'm
probable that the marsh is a source Of
other than pAludal (m ,rshy) fevers. and
anyway related to the late epidemic of
diphtherIa.
potency of filth i'll the causation of dis
ease II is its manner of exercising it's
agency that it is important to study. | arn
no more believer in the de h0cO origin
Of disease, than am of spontaneous gen
Grafton. do not believe as taught by
the State Board of Health. that disease
Can be generated by filth in the absence
of the specific germ, any more than be
Iieve that we'll fertilized field will pro
duse a crop OF wheat unless the srain
is sown. 1t is AS favoling niciuS
germ, and its diffusion by food, drink
and air, that filth aids disease. don't
refer to impaired function, deranged
stomach, general debility, All irritated
nervous system, ct cetera, ct cetera, con-
slant effects of filthy emanations,
but to we'll known concrete enti-
ties like scarlet fever, small pox, ty-
phoid fever, &c. If fifth unaidei was
capable OF generating the epidemic con
tagious diseases, the human race would
hardly have survived the Medic val ages
The general sanitary conditions of Elk
ton are in no wise worse than in past
years. Yet we have had sporadic Cases
of diphtheriA occasionally since 1893,
usually fatal, but without spreading I'M
til last fall. Typhoid fever was an OK
Gee diugly rare disease prior to the re-
markable milk epidemic of 1884 All the
contagious epidemic diseases have recur
ring cycles of intensity and the United
States is now universally under tho in
tiueuce Of tidal wave of diphtheria,
and Elkton has not escaped. Nor has
she escaped the milder forms of maariai
diseases tor whieh the marsh is unques-
tionably responsible, but bilious fever is
now unknown, aud to the chronic forms
of malarial poisoning are much rarer than
they were few years ago. have never
s gu fatal case of m.larial disease in the
town.